Butternut Squash Couscous Salad

Savory meets sweet in this butternut squash couscous salad with chopped kale, roasted butternut squash, turmeric pearl couscous, apples, and more. Every bite tastes divine, and there are different dressing options for all dietary needs. You will love this butternut squash couscous salad recipe.

When Autumn arrives, I crave butternut squash and other fall goodies. So, today I made a butternut squash couscous salad for dinner. I love butternut squash and its versatility for so many recipes. Not only is butternut squash in season and inexpensive, but it brings a unique savory component to recipes. So then, I added some crunchy, colorful, and sweet ingredients to make the best Autumn butternut squash couscous salad recipe I've ever tasted. 

Jump to:

• What is Turmeric Pearl Couscous?
• Salad Ingredients
• Salad Ingredient Substitutions
• Roasted Cinnamon and Spice Pecan Ingredients
• Dressing Options
• How to Make the Salad
• Recipe FAQs
• Tips
• Great Vegan Salads to Try
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

In Arizona, farmer's markets open at the beginning of fall through early summer. I love spending the weekend pursuing the various farmer's markets around town. Although the grocery store's supply of butternut squash is scarce, I found beautiful butternut squash at the market. And then I came across turmeric pearl couscous, which is yellow and vibrant! 

As often as possible, I include hearty and satisfying salads in my weekly meal plan. What's unique about this salad is the nutrient-dense ingredients and the combination of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains for a balanced meal. 

What is Turmeric Pearl Couscous?

Pearl Couscous with Turmeric, also traditionally known as Israeli Couscous, is named for its unique shape. The pasta is formed into small spheres, then toasted in an open-flame oven, and flavored with turmeric. This toasting process allows the pasta to absorb liquid without falling apart. And, this unique pasta contains wheat flour and turmeric. 

This superfood pasta packs a beautiful punch, providing 7g of protein, 3g of fiber, 18mg of calcium, 4mg of iron, and 210 mg of potassium in every serving for any meal of the day.

Salad Ingredients

• Kale: I love kale chopped finely and added to a salad. When chopped, kale is easier to digest and eat.
• Butternut Squash: Roasted butternut squash is sweet and perfect for this couscous salad recipe.
• Turmeric Pearl Couscous: I found Turmeric pearl couscous at Trader Joe's in the pasta section.
• Red Onion: Red onion is sweet and flavorful and offers a beautiful color to the salad.
• Honeycrisp Apple: Honey-crispy apples are my favorite because they are sweet and flavorful.
• Lemon juice: Lemon juice helps keep the apples from turning brown once cut.
• Dried Cranberries: Most dried cranberries contain oil, so look for a brand, such as this one, that is oil and sugar-free.
• Cinnamon and Spice Pecans (optional garnish): These pecans are seasoned with cinnamon and cayenne pepper, adding a savory component to the salad.

Salad Ingredient Substitutions

• Choose different greens of choice. If choosing a less firm type of green, do not dress the salad until ready to serve.
• Sweet potatoes are often used as a substitute for butternut squash.
• Use regular pearl couscous.
• Green onions work well as a substitute for red onions in this recipe.
• Any sweet apple works well in this butternut squash couscous salad recipe.
• Bottled lemon juice works if you don't have fresh lemon juice.
• Dried cherries or any dried berry replaces dried cherries.
• Skip the nuts or choose your favorite nuts.

Roasted Cinnamon and Spice Pecan Ingredients

• Maple Syrup: Maple syrup provides sweetness and a way for the spices to adhere to the nuts without using oil.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is delicate and sweet, creating a subtle flavor while not overpowering the rest of your ingredients.
• Ginger: Ground ginger retains some of that pepper spice and sweetness; its flavor is milder.
• Cayenne: Cayenne pepper gives the spicy aspect of the recipe.
• Sea Salt: A little sea salt enhan

Dressing Options

There are many ways to get that creamy texture with or without nuts for those who love creamy dressing.

Cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, and other nuts provide ways to attain a creamy texture.

But many people avoid nuts for a variety of reasons. For that reason, I've included different dressing options. 

Maple Dijon (raw cashews, almonds, or sunflower seeds)

• Raw cashew, almonds, or sunflower seeds
• Water
• Maple Syrup 
• Dijon Mustard
• Liquid smoke (I used hickory flavor)
• Apple cider vinegar

Maple Dijon (silken tofu)

• Silken Tofu
• Water
• Maple Syrup 
• Dijon Mustard
• Liquid smoke
• Apple cider vinegar

Maple Dijon (nut-free/soy-free)

• Apple sauce (unsweetened, natural) 
• Water
• Maple Syrup 
• Dijon Mustard
• Liquid smoke
• Apple cider vinegar

How to Make the Salad

Roasting Butternut Squash

1. Remove the skin from the butternut squash with a peeler or knife.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Cut into similar-sized cubes (about 1 inch).
4. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
5. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
6. Roast for 30-35 minutes.
7. While the butternut squash roasts, cook the couscous.
8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Cooking Couscous

1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 ½ cups water to a boil.
2. Add 1 teaspoon salt and stir.
3. Stir in 1 cup of pearl couscous; stir.
4. Cover and reduce temperature to simmer.
5. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove from the heat, drain in a colander, and rinse with cool water, tossing to cool all the pasta.
7. Set aside

How to Make Roasted Cinnamon and Spice Pecans

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray the baking sheet pan with nonstick baking spray.
2. Place raw pecans in a bowl and add maple syrup.
3. Toss to coat. I used my hands.
4. Combine the spices in a small bowl and stir.
5. Pour the nuts into a single layer on the prepared sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
6. Sprinkle with the combined spices.
7. Roast 12-15 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven.
9. While cooling, break up any large pieces.
10. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Recipe FAQs

Tips

• For those who struggle digesting kale, if chopped finely and dressed in advance, kale transforms into one of my favorite greens. 
• A lot of dried fruits contain oil. Always read the labels on packages, and don't assume products like dried fruit do not have oil. Company's like My Berry Organics sells oil-free, unsweetened dried fruit.
• Dressing the salad in advance also helps to ensure the Couscous doesn't stick together. 
• The nuts, if added, should not be added t the salad until ready to serve. 
• For additional protein, consider adding Tofu Feta Cheese. 

Try this butternut squash couscous recipe for a sweet and savory salad for lunch or dinner.

Great Vegan Salads to Try

If you love this butternut squash couscous salad, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

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